SOME 20 years since the release of Calendar Girls the movie, and 24 years since Rylstone WI's alternative calendar sparked a world-wide phenomenon, an exhibition bringing the story bang up to date is taking place at Skipton Town Hall.

Following publication of the 2000 fundraising calendar, which featured members of Rylstone WI pictured tastefully nude; with plant pots, watering cans and cakes protecting their modesty; sports clubs, organisations and fundraisers of all shapes and sizes across the world followed suit and produced their own 'alternative calendars' - with very few as tastefully done.

The story of the WI members and their fantastic success in raising millions of pounds for the charity Blood Cancer UK, sparked a musical, written by Gary Barlow, and performed for the first time by an amateur group in 2012 by Grassington Players; and the 2003 Hollywood film, staring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters and Celia Imrie.

Over in Israel at the Shaar-Hagolan Kibbutz, an idea was formed after its members watched the film, resulting in a re-imagined calendar. After going on display at different sites in Israel, the team approached Skipton Town Hall about exhibiting the work in the area of Yorkshire that the true story of the Calendar Girls took place.

As a result, members of the kibbutz travelled 2,600 miles to Craven in March to meet four of the original Calendar Girls - Angela Knowles, Tricia Stewart, Beryl Bamforth and Lynda Logan, and photographer Terry Logan, to launch the the Sidor Avoda (work schedule) exhibition which features both the kibbutz calendar, and material from the WI calendar from Craven Museum's collection.

At the first international exhibition since the redevelopment of Skipton Town Hall, visitors will have the chance to learn more about the project, the members of the community in Israel who were photographed and the history of the kibbutz. Much like the Rylstone calendar, the men of the kibbutz are tastefully shot with aprons and tools.

The exhibition also delves into the Craven Museum collection, showcasing objects related to the original Calendar Girls story, 24 years after the original alternative calendar was released. Items on display include early planning material for the calendar and publicity from the screenplay premiere at the Plaza Cinema in Skipton.

Calendar model and Kibbutz member, Uzi Ring, said he and his colleagues were delighted to come over to Skipton to be at the launch of the exhibition.

He said: “When I saw the exhibition in Skipton Town Hall, I could not believe it. When we started the calendar project with the men of Shaar Hagolan Kibbutz in the Jordan Valley of Israel, we never dreamed it would travel this far, all the way to the home of the Calendar Girls in Yorkshire.

"We were so happy that the town hall team took so much interest in our proposal and worked with us to put our exhibition in the gallery alongside items from the Craven Museum collection. Some of us decided to come all the way to the opening day and I, being one of the 12 calendar models, took advantage of the situation and took a trip.

"Thank you to designers Meital Levi and Rotem Kaydar, photographer Erez Biton and Aviv Lesham who all helped to bring this great journey to an amazing conclusion. We really hope everyone will enjoy the exhibition.”

Councillor Simon Myers, chairman of Craven District Council, at the exhibition launch, one of his last engagements as the last ever chairman of the council, and an owner of one of the calendars, said: “The inspirational story of the Calendar Girls is one known to people across the world. The creation of an alternative WI calendar to raise funds for charity grew into an international phenomenon and it all started here in Craven.

"I bought one of the first calendars myself from Lynda Logan and still have it somewhere! We are honoured that the kibbutz team approached us to exhibit at Skipton Town Hall and we are so excited for the launch of this unique exhibition”

The exhibition runs until June 17, and is free to enter. Find more information and gallery opening times by visiting skiptontownhall.co.uk.

The original WI Calendar project has so far raised £5 million (and counting) for blood cancer research. You can donate by visiting bloodcancer.org.uk.